Page 13 of Demon's Prey

I nod, savoring the moment.

"Indeed. You intrigue me, Narina. I want to see what you're capable of."

She swallows hard. I can almost taste her internal struggle.

“What do you mean, what I’m capable of?” she asks.

“Just what it sounds like,” I reply.

Her lips twist into a fronw.

“And if I refuse?"

I shrug, feigning indifference.

"Then you're free to go. Good luck surviving out there, or finding your sister without my help. Then again, you are a resourceful one. Perhaps you’ll survive two, three days. Perhaps even a week."

Her eyes dart to the window, to the harsh landscape beyond. She knows she has no chance alone.

I lean in close, my breath ghosting her ear.

"Think carefully, little human. How badly do you want to find your sister?"

Her scent washes over me, a heady mix of fear and determination. It's intoxicating, stirring something primal within me. I fight the urge to pull her close, to claim those trembling lips with a searing kiss.

What's wrong with me? I'm a demon noble. I should want what improves my station, not what appeals to my heart, my soul.

My gaze roams over her, drinking in every detail. The curve of her neck, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. A vision flashes through my mind - her naked form writhing beneath me, eyes clouded with pleasure, my name on her lips.

Heat surges through me. I can't remember the last time I felt this... tempted.

My smile sharpens, an edge of hunger creeping in. Narina shivers, and the sight sends another jolt of desire through me. Does she sense the effect she has on me? The power she holds?

I lean closer, voice low and husky.

"Well, little human? What's your answer?"

She meets my gaze, defiant despite her fear. It only stokes the fire within me. I want to break that defiance, to make her submit... and then build her back up, stronger than before.

"I..." she starts, then falters.

I trail a finger along her jaw, relishing her sharp intake of breath.

"Choose wisely, Narina. I can be a powerful ally. I can make sure you get…everythingyou want.”

The air between us crackles with tension. I can almost taste her indecision on my tongue.

Her eyes widen, a delicious mix of fear and intrigue dancing in their depths. I can't help but savor the moment, drinking in her reaction.

"A soul-bound contract," I purr, letting the words roll off my tongue. "It's not as dire as it sounds, little human."

“S-soul bound?” she says with a heavy tremble. “There’s that word again. I thought you didn’t want my soul?”

“Never said I didn’t want it,” I reply quickly “But it’s not included in the terms of this propose dcontract. Tell me, are you familiar with the human term collateral?”

“Yes,’ she says cautiously.

“Well, you can think of your soul as collateral on this contract. That’s all. You won’t be forfeit your soul once the terms of the contract are fulfilled.”

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